49ers trade up to grab LSU safety Reid

Tackle Eric Fisher from Central Michigan stands with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected first overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2013 at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

SANTA CLARA -- Safety Eric Reid enticed the 49ers so much they traded up 13 spots to select him 18th overall in Thursday's first-round of the NFL draft.

Coming off their first Super Bowl loss in franchise history, the 49ers needed to find a safety to replace Dashon Goldson, a two-time Pro Bowler who left in free agency for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"Unanimous decision that Eric Reid was our pick," coach Jim Harbaugh said on the team website.

"It really stands out," Harbaugh added. "He believes that he's a winner all the way and champion kind of guy and football player. I can't wait to have him here in our home in Santa Clara."

The 49ers surrendered two picks to the Dallas Cowboys to move up to No.18: their original first-round spot (No. 31 overall) and a third-round pick (No. 93). The 49ers still hold 11 picks, including three for Friday's second and third rounds (Nos. 34, 61 and 74).

Reid (6-foot-1, 213 pounds) produced two interceptions in each of his three seasons at Louisiana State. The son of a three-time All-American sprinter at LSU, Reid had 91 tackles last season.

"According to his mother, who is a very honest person, she said this is where she wanted to see Eric and this is where Eric wanted to be," Harbaugh said. "Wonderful, wonderful, very happy about it."

In a conference call, Reid described himself as "a very cerebral player. I pride myself on knowing the defense, on getting guys lined up on the scene, and being a great teammate and doing my job. I'm very fortunate to be on such an incredible defense. I can't wait to get to work."

Reid told the Newark Star-Ledger that he patterns himself after LaRon Landry, Sean Taylor, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and Corey Webster. Landry is the only LSU safety ever drafted in the first round; Landry was drafted sixth overall in 2007 by the Redskins and recently signed with the Colts.

"I met with Coach Harbaugh at the (February scouting) combine," Reid said. "He recruited me coming out high school. He was disappointed for not coming to Stanford and instead going to LSU. The story goes full circle."

This is the 10th trade the 49ers have pulled off in four drafts presided over by Trent Baalke. They also traded up for left tackle Anthony Davis (2010) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (2011).

The 49ers initially addressed filling Goldson's spot by signing former Rams safety Craig Dahl last month, and his contract (three years, $5.2 million) reportedly includes only a $700,000 signing bonus.

Two of the 49ers' NFC West rivals used the first round to boost their offenses. The Arizona Cardinals selected guard Jonathan Cooper at No. 7 overall, followed immediately by the St. Louis Rams trading up eight spots to West Virginia wideout and return specialist Tavon Austin.